Thread: Luxman M-10X

There is a very positive review of Luxman's new flagship M-10X solid state amplifier in the May issue of Stereophile (John Atkinson). It's not yet on their website.

Originally Posted by GSOphile

There is a very positive review of Luxman's new flagship M-10X solid state amplifier in the May issue of Stereophile (John Atkinson). It's not yet on their website.

Thanks for this news. I have been searching for info on the Luxman M-10X (other than marketing material) for months. I have even resorted to watching Luxman Japanese language promotional videos with English subtitles on YouTube. Don't bother, nothing new to to learn.

If you don't mind a request, if you see the published review before I do, please post a link to it on this thread.

Subscribed.

Best- Matt

Just read the May 2022 Stereophile review of the M-10X (thank you Nikhil).

It's quite apparent that the reviewer enjoyed and appreciated the musicality of the M-10X, but IMHO most of the review simply recapitulates Luxman's pre release marketing and technical material.

Perhaps if the reviewer had some experience with its predecessor, the M-900U, they could have contrasted what has changed sonically, for better or for worse, in this latest generation of Luxman's "flagship" stereo amplifier.

Oh well, beggars can't be choosers so I shouldn't complain. I will have to wait for an alternative point of view to gain any insight to the performance of the M-10X relative to its predecessor. Here's hoping Mike gets their M-10X before too long.

Originally Posted by Mike

The M10x has a lot more punch and dynamics and bass control, while retaining all that sweetness and musicality.


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Hi Mike, how can you tell this if not comparing the amplifiers in the same system and room?

Originally Posted by Mike

If you recall, the M900u monos and M6’s was my show system at the Florida audio Expo in 2020. We set that system up on a Tuesday, and listened non stop for 5 days. I got to know this combo very well. I also know the sound signature of the M900u’s very well from living with them for several years in the store and using them on multiple speakers. No matter what we tried them on, they were excellent, but not the most dynamic or punchy in the bass. The M10x’s fix this and then some. The retain that great midrange and top end of the M900u and deliver the punch, grip and dynamics in spades.


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Thanks for the quick replay Mike, much appreciated.

The M10X looks nice, but the 33% price increase doesn't, although, it really is to be expected. Thankfully each one of my M6200's puts out more power and a pair cost me less than a single M10X... some food for thought. I may just pick one of these up and compare, but, it obviously wont be a fair comparison.

Originally Posted by Mike

If you recall, the M900u monos and M6’s was my show system at the Florida audio Expo in 2020. We set that system up on a Tuesday, and listened non stop for 5 days. I got to know this combo very well. I also know the sound signature of the M900u’s very well from living with them for several years in the store and using them on multiple speakers. No matter what we tried them on, they were excellent, but not the most dynamic or punchy in the bass. The M10x’s fix this and then some. They retain that great midrange and top end of the M900u and deliver the punch, grip and dynamics in spades.


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Hi Mike

How would you compare the M10x’s against Esoteric‘s S-02?


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Originally Posted by GreginNH

Mike - you are probably right but I could not determine if it was the amp or the speakers delivering more punch as I was listening to the new B&W 801 D4 speakers. Not sure which made the most impact. Was going to compare the M10x with M900u (in the same room) but ran out of time. I am sure the M10X is better - why wouldn't it be! I just don't know by how much (yet). Maybe I will have some time to A/B both within the next two weeks.

Would love to hear about such a comparison, Greg.

Originally Posted by GreginNH

Mike - you are probably right but I could not determine if it was the amp or the speakers delivering more punch as I was listening to the new B&W 801 D4 speakers. Not sure which made the most impact. Was going to compare the M10x with M900u (in the same room) but ran out of time. I am sure the M10X is better - why wouldn't it be! I just don't know by how much (yet). Maybe I will have some time to A/B both within the next two weeks.

Now that it’s been two weeks, wondering if you’ve had a chance to A/B M900u and M10x?

A couple of English translation screen shots of a Japanese language review.

Originally Posted by kzhtoo

A couple of English translation screen shots of a Japanese language review.

Any chance of sharing a link of the entire review?

Originally Posted by mxk116

Any chance of sharing a link of the entire review?

M-10X - PHILE WEB

Luxman and Magico | AXPONA 2022 - Part-Time Audiophile

Hi to all,
I have enjoying the Luxman m900/c900u combo for 1.5 year and recently got the M10x just because someone offered me to buy my M900u. With only 12 hrs of up time, one obvious change can be heard, as Mike mentioned, bass, punch, dynamics are much better. I am not talking about quantity, I refer to quality bass impact. I believe that the change was on how the midbass sound. Midbass with good resolution is fundamental for musical engagement. To me, music pops out from speakers better than the M900u and I feel that this amp is a little smoother but retaining the resolution. However and obviously, the amp sound small with only 12 hrs.

But let me continue:
With 100 hrs of playing time, the openness started to show up. Everything mentioned before are still there but now the sound stage started to open up to the point that I don’t miss the M900u anymore on any aspect of the sound. Other interesting characteristics that I found as well: voices took a more 3-d sound, instruments separation is better and control with high dynamics musics, is also better.

Originally Posted by carlosnewidea

But let me continue:
With 100 hrs of playing time, the openness started to show up. Everything mentioned before are still there but now the sound stage started to open up to the point that I don’t miss the M900u anymore on any aspect of the sound. Other interesting characteristics that I found as well: voices took a more 3-d sound, instruments separation is better and control with high dynamics musics, is also better.

Thanks for the insight on the M-10X. Wonderful to get the perspective of someone who has lived with its predecessor, the M900u. For context, what are the other components of the system?

Finally,
Before the M10x, I been thinking to change amp and pre because the rest of the system is very competent (IMO) and I know that I can get more resolution, bass impact and dynamics with Boulders, Gryphon, Constellation and some few others, however, now I believe that I am going to keep Luxman for a little more and maybe try the C900u replacement that I believe will happen next year (Mike could confirm that). Other than my DCS Rossini that will need a apex upgrade (waiting to hear other users opinions), the rest of system don’t need upgrading for a while: Vivaldi master clock, Antipodes S40/S60/EX upgraded, Uptone switch with Paul Hynes SR5 and AD clock, Router with Sbooster PS, SR active grounding, SR interconnects and speaker cables and a combination of Shunyata Sigma NR V2 and Hurricane PC. For speakers, I am using a pair of Wilson Sabrinas X that in feel is just perfect for my room. System is on a dedicated music room which is well treated to try to get the best sound from it.
Regards

Hi, thanks.

See my last post.

Best Regards

Originally Posted by carlosnewidea

Finally,
Before the M10x, I been thinking to change amp and pre because the rest of the system is very competent (IMO) and I know that I can get more resolution, bass impact and dynamics with Boulders, Gryphon, Constellation and some few others, however, now I believe that I am going to keep Luxman for a little more and maybe try the C900u replacement that I believe will happen next year (Mike could confirm that). Other than my DCS Rossini that will need a apex upgrade (waiting to hear other users opinions), the rest of system don’t need upgrading for a while: Vivaldi master clock, Antipodes S40/S60/EX upgraded, Uptone switch with Paul Hynes SR5 and AD clock, Router with Sbooster PS, SR active grounding, SR interconnects and speaker cables and a combination of Shunyata Sigma NR V2 and Hurricane PC. For speakers, I am using a pair of Wilson Sabrinas X that in feel is just perfect for my room. System is on a dedicated music room which is well treated to try to get the best sound from it.
Regards

That’s a very nice system. I’m sure it sounds fabulous. Are you driving direct from Rossini DAC to M10x? Or there’s a preamp in between?

Also, thanks for sharing your experience with M10x. Nothing like first hand user experience especially from a M900u owner. I must say it closely mirrors a couple of rare reviews (one from Stereophile and one Japanese review), one other user experience from Audiogon and of course Mike’s. Luxman probably hits another home run with their 100th year anniversary product in M10x.

One last question. Any plan to try a Cybershaft OP21 or Mutec ref10 10MHz master clock as input to Vivaldi master clock reference input? It’s being a worthwhile upgrade is well documented.

Thanks.

I was using a Bartok when I received the C900u/M900u Luxman combo so after breakin them, I tried the bartok directly. Didn't sound bad at all but the music flow better and the presentation have much more organic feeling and dynamics. All the details and resolution are still there but not in my face. I have not tried the Rossini directly to the M900u or the M10x so far but I will try that in a future since the Rossini have better analog section. At least, some colleagues with much more expansive system told me that when using the Vivaldi DAC, the best way to go is using it directly to the amp (depend on the amp, obviously) unless you have a very expansive and very good pre ($30K and up) but I don't know how the Rossini will behave until try it.
For long time I been thinking about trying a ref master clock with Vivaldi clock but until now, other upgrades seem more important to me. However, I will try that in a future as well, for sure!
Regards

Mike, how does the M10X compare to the Pass X350.8/X260.8?
🙏

Originally Posted by Mike

This amp has been burning in since we got it. Sat down and listened this morning. WOW. I love this amp. The soundstage after 250+ hours now has really opened up. So much more punch and dynamics over the old m900u. Still the same great midrange and sweet top end.

The only thing left to do: try two in mono.

Absolutely a home run amp.


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Mike, how does the M10X compare to the Pass X350.8/X260.8?
🙏

Originally Posted by Mike

The M10x is more dynamic, has more slam, tight bass, controlled bass, better separation. Very musical. The pass is warmer, bass is tube like. Quite 3D.


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Mike, Thank you for taking the time 🙏
Which would you say is the best match for Maggies (3.7)?

Originally Posted by Mike

Pass. I always loved a warmer tube like amp on my Maggie’s.


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🙏 X350.8 or X260.8 monos?

Originally Posted by Mike

350.8



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Thanks 😊

M10x finally arrived after entire summer of waiting. About 5 months.

It’s so heavy that my wife hates to help carry it upstairs. Luxman puts some handles in the box, which I think is quite smart and useful.

It’s the definition of built like a tank. I don’t think I ever used this term before but M10x is it.

Onto the first impression - detail retrieval is best I have in my system and not even close. It’s also so quiet, I immediately notice movie dialogues are very clear. Can’t wait until it breaks in.

Originally Posted by mxk116

The M-10X is on my very short list of amps to drive a pair of Magico A5's (ARC Ref 5 SE preamp). What does the rest of your system contain?

Thanks and enjoy!

Magico S3, Esoteric N-05XD and pre-amp is TBD. Currently direct-driving from N-05XD and I must say this configuration is not losing much to my previous Diablo 300 integrated.

How do you like Ref 5SE? I’m thinking tube route and Ref 5SE is now at a good price.

Originally Posted by mxk116

Wow, fairly similar signal chain. The ARC Ref5 SE is exceptional and punches above its weight class IMHO. It is very synergistic with the other components which includes an Esoteric K01XD and an Aurender N20. I was using an ARC Ref 150 SE amp but the bass was a bit anemic with the A5. I found a used Classe Delta stereo locally and traded the Ref150 SE for it. The Delta Stereo is certainly an improvement over the Ref150 SE, particularly in the bottom octaves, but I've been spoiled by the soundstage and musicality of the ARC components; the Delta Stereo sounds drier (not lean or thin) relatively speaking. I'm glad I made the move to the SS amp (a set of tubes is ferociously expensive now) but based on what I'm hearing now that the A5's are finally broken in, the M-10X will likely be a better match for me.

The Ref5 SE will stay but I'm also looking forward to hearing the Luxman preamp replacement for the C-900U when it becomes available.

Maybe Mike can shed some light of the Luxman preamp?

I still have about 250 hours to go to find out if M10X would be a good match in my system. So far, it is promising.

Since both K01XD and N20 have master clock input, I think it’d be worthwhile for you to try a master clock. In my system, it was an eye opening experience.

As for pre-amp, I’m also waiting to hear new matching pre-amp for M10X.